Electrolysis



UNITED STATES.

PATENT FFTCE.

HENRY RLUMENBERG., JRQOF MOUNT VERNON, NEwYoRK.

ELECTRO LYSIS.

SPECIFICATION forming part of Letters Patent No. 519,400, dated May8,1894.

Application filed May 6.18.93. Serial No. 473,240. (No model.)

Jr., a citizen of the United States, residing at South Mount Vernon, inthe county of Westchester,State of NewYork, have invented certain newand useful Improvements in Elec- Y trolyses; -and I do declare thefollowing to be a full, clear, and exact description of the invention,such as will enable others skilled in the art to which it appertains tomake and use the same, reference being had to the letters and figures ofreference marked on the accompanying drawings, which form a part of thisspeciication.

The object of my invention is to obtain,by

electrolytic action, bromatesyand chlorates` from the alkaline metalsand the metals of the alkaline earths from their respective bromides andchlorides.

Generally stated, in carrying my process into effect, I prepare anaqueous solution containing a bromidey or chloride corresponding to thechlorate or bromate desired. For this purpose, a vat is used, such asshown-in Figure l for example. vided into two compartments by a porouspartition, or instead a porous vessel may be placed therein-iu eithercase the vat being divided into two compartments. An electric batterywith the opposite wires leading to electrodes placed in the compartmentsof the vat is provided, the circuit being closed through the aqueoussolution therein. The bases are set free in the electro-negativecompartment, and the halogen in the electro-posirive division. If thenascent hydrogen reduces in the electro-negative compartment, theelectrode therein may be agitated to prevent such action. That is to sayany excess 'of hydrogen will have a tendency to polarize the negativeelectrode, which tendency is obviated by agitating that electrode.Otherwise that part of the electric current employed in electrolyzingwould then be trying to overcome this state of polarization, and

would show itself in an undue rise of the 120 temperature in the bath.Then again hydrogen must be gotten rid of to a certain extent to preventits combining with the chlorine, and thereby forming hydrochloric acid,which would react upon the hydrate of potassium This vat is usually di;

till they would be mutually neutralized, forming again the chloride ofpotassium.

In the `exemplilication of my invention I will place in the vat apotassio chloride. The electric current separates it into its respectivehalogen and base. The potassium in this case being the base, will bedeposited in the electro-negative compartment, Where it takes up oneatom of oxygen from the electrolyte and also sets free one atomA ofhydrogen forming caustic potash.

D is the positive electrode, preferably platinum.

E is the'positive and F the negative partrnent. The electro-positivedivision E is coveredby a top G fitting air-tight thereon. The upperportion of compartment vE contains halogen or acid radicals set 'freeduring electrolysis. Compartment F 'contains the electro-negativecaustic solution or basic' radicals.

H is a pipe leading from the upper part of the electro-positive divisionto the lower partof the electro-negative division, preferably outsidethe vat A, and provided with valve I at either end, for closing oropening the pipe.

J is the positive Wire, having a branch K leading to electrode D, and Lthe negative wire having a branch M leading to the elec- 'Y trode C,from any suitable battery.

In Fig. 2 is shown a/pip'e N, having a valve 0 therein, -leading fromthe electro-negative tank F, by means of which the tank F may bedischarged into the vessel I below. 'Vessel P is designed -to receiver,and hold the bromates and chlorates ,inwhicli they may be allowed tosettle.

Q is a Vat for holding the residue of they process.

IOO

Ris a pipe, having a valve S therein, through which the vessel P maybetapped to dravtr oft the material other than the bromates and chlorates.

T is a resaturator-tank having connection with the bottom of vat Q by apipe U, in which is placed al'pump V fr-fo1"cii`1g the residue withWater up into said resaturator to utilize the product over again.

W is a pipe, having a valve X, leading from the resaturator near itstop, back into the electro-positive compartment The resaturatof'l" ncdmake the product.

l0 is a defiecting apron for the purpose of forcing the'dischargeintothe bottom ofth'e gas-holderbeforeitis fed'againtothe vat A.'

The following operationI of: my limprovements willbe described: Anelectrolyte hav'- ing,in a solution of Water,`saypotassic 'ch'lo ride,is putin the vat A; I' then electrol'yze rine goes to theelectro-positive division, the potash to the electro-negative divisiondeLA composing the Water thereand forming caustie potash. Theelectro=positive^` division E,v

being air-tight, as soon" as the chlorineisliberated` it risesiintheail-above the electrolyte, goes through the pipe I-l,'.a`n'd decomposesthe caustic solution Vfin the electro-negative division F, formingchlorate and chloride of ,i J .L

compartment F andathe pipe W, by 'means of` r which the by-productsnlay'beledyinto bothAJ compartments E "and- F; f The electric cur`` rentneeds only to have its voltage high j ntin's"n material to.

Then, if..

and the process 'isfcarf' presence of two witnesses.A

enough to overcome the affinities of the halogen for thelbafse'.'

The by-product varies according to the original substance put into thevat. If chloride of potassium be the material to produce the desired,Qhlorate the. by-RrQduct iS than e clilorideof potassium,l alsticpotashWater, t chlorine gas, hydrochloric acid, a little chlorate, ot potash,and a percentage of the origii nal impurities which the originalchloride of potassium contained before putting the same into the vat. Iprefer to have the bath at a i the iliypochlorite fornied will beresolved into 'chlorate and chloride of potassium.

I claim- 1;. The combination of an electrolytic bath having` positiveand' negative compartments,

a pipe' connecting the two, a settling tank connected ivithsaidbath,another tank, located between" the settlingtankand bath, and pipesconnecting" thefin'intoa continuous systenn" 2. The herein describedprocess which consists inplaci'ng an electrolytbI` containinga haloidsajltrina vat, electrolyzingfthe same thereby settingtree' the halogen'at the posi.-

` tive electrodaand y'the base at the negative h electrode-and finallytransferring theliberated gas from the positive to the negativeelectrode, and` thereby bring it. into contact Wlth the base.

3. The herein described, process which consists in placing anelectrolyte containing a vhaloid salt in a vat, then electrolyzing the`same therebysettingfree the halogen at the positive 'electrode andthebase at the negative electrode, ytra'nsierring the liberatedI gas fromVthe positiveto the negative` electrode, thenconveying theliquidelectjrolyte to a set,-

tling tank, and then leading'the by products of the electrolyte to( aresaturator. andback to the'vat,"V f

In testimony whereofflatiix inysignature in "HENRY Witnesses:

' GEo.J;,PENFEILD,

WM.- l?. MQOARTHY.

BLUMENBERG, JR.

